Self Leveling Camera Support Apparatus
First Claim
1. A self leveling camera support apparatus for helping isolate a camera from a rolling axis motion of a support structure, comprising:
- (a) a frame having a longitudinal axis, said frame including a first end that is adapted to attach to a support structure and a second end that forms a pivotal connection having a pivotal roll axis; and
(b) a roll member adapted to attach to the camera, said roll member is pivotally attached to said pivotal connection by a pivotal shaft, being operational to pivot parallel to said pivotal roll axis, said roll member also includes an extension arm having a longitudinal axis, said extension arm including a proximal end portion that is adjacent to said roll member, said extension arm longitudinal axis being positioned approximately perpendicular to said pivotal roll axis, said extension arm also including a distal end portion that is adjacent to a counter balance weight, said roll member is operational to help maintain the camera positional orientation level in relation to arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame, resulting from a selectively positioned center of mass of said roll member, camera, extension arm, and counterbalance weight combined, said center of mass being positioned between said pivotal roll axis and said frame first end, wherein said frame longitudinal axis and said extension arm longitudinal axis form a parallel to angular relationship.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self leveling camera support apparatus and method for helping isolate a camera from rolling motion of a support structure. The apparatus includes a frame having a first end adapted to attach to the support structure and a second end with a pivotal connection. Also included, is a roll member adapted to attach the camera, the roll member is pivotally attached to the pivotal connection, the roll member also includes an extension arm with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion adjacent to a counter balance weight. The roll member is operational to help the camera level from roll movement of the frame, resulting from a center of mass of the roll member, camera, extension arm, and counterbalance weight combined, the center of mass positioned between the pivotal connection and the frame first end, wherein the frame and the extension arm form a parallel to angular relationship.
23 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A self leveling camera support apparatus for helping isolate a camera from a rolling axis motion of a support structure, comprising:
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(a) a frame having a longitudinal axis, said frame including a first end that is adapted to attach to a support structure and a second end that forms a pivotal connection having a pivotal roll axis; and
(b) a roll member adapted to attach to the camera, said roll member is pivotally attached to said pivotal connection by a pivotal shaft, being operational to pivot parallel to said pivotal roll axis, said roll member also includes an extension arm having a longitudinal axis, said extension arm including a proximal end portion that is adjacent to said roll member, said extension arm longitudinal axis being positioned approximately perpendicular to said pivotal roll axis, said extension arm also including a distal end portion that is adjacent to a counter balance weight, said roll member is operational to help maintain the camera positional orientation level in relation to arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame, resulting from a selectively positioned center of mass of said roll member, camera, extension arm, and counterbalance weight combined, said center of mass being positioned between said pivotal roll axis and said frame first end, wherein said frame longitudinal axis and said extension arm longitudinal axis form a parallel to angular relationship. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A self leveling camera support apparatus for helping isolate a camera from a rolling axis motion of a support structure, comprising:
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(a) a frame having a longitudinal axis, said frame including a first end that is adapted to attach to a support structure and a second end that forms a pivotal connection having a pivotal roll axis;
(b) a roll member adapted to attach to the camera, said roll member is pivotally attached to said pivotal connection by a pivotal shaft, being operational to pivot parallel to said pivotal roll axis, said roll member also includes an extension arm having a longitudinal axis, said extension arm including a proximal end portion that is adjacent to said roll member, said extension arm longitudinal axis being positioned approximately perpendicular to said pivotal roll axis, said extension arm also including a distal end portion that is adjacent to a counter balance weight, said roll member is operational to help maintain the camera positional orientation level in relation to arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame, resulting from a selectively positioned center of mass of said roll member, camera, extension arm, and counterbalance weight combined, said center of mass being positioned between said pivotal roll axis and said frame first end, wherein said frame longitudinal axis and said extension arm longitudinal axis form a parallel to angular relationship; and
(c) a dampener including a piston and a cylinder utilizing a variable size restriction orifice to control the flow of a fluid from said piston and cylinder to control a movement of said piston in relation to said cylinder, said dampener is driven by said roll member pivotal shaft that is rotatably attached to a pivotal shaft drive gear, said pivotal shaft drive gear is rotationally engaged to an idler gear, and said idler gear is rotationally engaged to a gear rack on said piston, wherein said relative arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame to said roll member is transmitted into said piston movement in relation to said cylinder by said pivotal shaft and drive gear, said idler gear, and said gear rack on said piston, said dampener is operational to control said relative arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame to said roll member resulting in a more controlled leveling action of the camera. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of acquiring camera images of an aquatic event, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a self leveling camera support apparatus that includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, said frame including a first end that is adapted to attach to a support structure and a second end that forms a pivotal connection having a pivotal roll axis, also included is a roll member adapted to attach to a camera, said roll member is pivotally attached to said pivotal connection, being operational to pivot parallel to said pivotal roll axis, said roll member also includes an extension arm having a longitudinal axis, said extension arm including a proximal end portion that is adjacent to said roll member, said extension arm longitudinal axis being positioned approximately perpendicular to said pivotal roll axis, said extension arm also including a distal end portion that is adjacent to a counter balance weight, said roll member is operational to help maintain the camera positional orientation level in relation to arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame, resulting from a selectively positioned center of mass of said roll member, camera, extension arm, and counterbalance weight combined, said center of mass being positioned between said pivotal roll axis and said frame first end, wherein said frame longitudinal axis and said extension arm longitudinal axis form a parallel to angular relationship, said extension arm proximal end portion that is adjacent to said roll member further comprises a fixably adjustable element that allows said extension arm including said extension arm longitudinal axis to deviate from being approximately perpendicular to said pivotal roll axis, wherein said fixably adjustable element is operational to accommodate a camera with an offset center of gravity, further included is an adjustable dampener that is positioned adjacent to both said frame and said roll member, said dampener is operational to help control a relative arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame to said roll member, wherein said frame longitudinal axis and said extension arm longitudinal axis form a parallel to angular relationship;
(b) attaching said frame first end to a support structure;
(c) attaching said camera to said roll member;
(d) positioning a selected amount of said counterbalance weight to accommodate a camera weight; and
(e) acquiring images of the aquatic event using a camera. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification